Gordon Jump was a popular American actor who starred in several television shows and commercials. He is best remembered for his role as Arthur “Big Guy” Carlson in the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, which ran from 1978 to 1982. He also played the lonely Maytag repairman in a series of ads from 1989 to 2003. Jump died on September 22, 2003, at the age of 71. What was the cause of his death and how did he live his final days?
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Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Fatal Lung Disease
According to CBS News, Jump suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic and progressive lung disease that causes scarring of the air sacs of the lungs, leading to heart or respiratory failure. The condition has no known cure and can be caused by various factors, such as exposure to environmental pollutants, infections, medications, or genetic mutations.
Jump was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2002 and underwent a lung transplant in June 2003. However, his body rejected the new organ and he developed complications. He died at his home in Orange County, California, surrounded by his family.
A Successful Career in Television and Commercials
Jump was born on April 1, 1932, in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from Kansas State University and worked as a radio and television broadcaster in the Midwest before moving to Los Angeles in 1963 to pursue an acting career. He landed minor roles in various shows, such as Get Smart, Green Acres, and The Partridge Family.
He rose to fame when he was cast as Arthur Carlson, the bumbling manager of a struggling radio station in WKRP in Cincinnati. The show was a hit and earned critical acclaim for its witty humor and realistic portrayal of the radio industry. Jump reprised his role in the spin-off series The New WKRP in Cincinnati from 1991 to 1993.
Jump also appeared in other shows, such as Soap, Growing Pains, Baywatch, and Seinfeld. He played a controversial role as a child molester in a two-part episode of Diff’rent Strokes in 1983.
Jump became a household name when he replaced Jesse White as the Maytag repairman in 1989. He played Ol’ Lonely, a bored and lonely technician who never had any work because Maytag appliances were so reliable. He appeared in more than 40 commercials for the brand until his retirement in 2003.
A Devoted Family Man and a Faithful Mormon
Jump was married three times and had four children. His first marriage to Olinda D. Kandt ended in divorce in 1962. His second marriage to Anna F. Inge Jump lasted from 1963 to 1992. His third and final marriage was to Betty McKeever in 1993.
Jump converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in the 1960s after meeting Nathan and Ruth Hale, who owned a theater in Glendale where he performed. He acted in several church-produced films and participated in church activities. He was also involved in charitable causes, such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Special Olympics.
Jump was described by his colleagues and friends as a kind, generous, and funny person who loved his family and his faith. He left behind a legacy of laughter and joy for millions of fans who enjoyed his work on television and commercials.
